Fun driving Titans
JARRYD Hayne believes the Gold Coast’s fun factor may be the formula for success as they shoot for their third straight victory on Saturday.
Hayne, who will line up for NSW tonight before likely backing up at NRL level against Cronulla on Saturday, said the Titans’ turnaround in fortunes had coincided with coach Neil Henry adopting a more relaxed approach.
It has paid dividends, with the club staying in the finals race by notching wins over Wests Tigers and the Dragons before a bye last weekend.
“The way Neil is preparing us is probably our best preparation,” Hayne told the Bulletin.
“Against the Tigers he was just like, ‘Go out there, have fun and play footy’. Against the Dragons he was a lot the same.
“We have tried different ways to get the boys up and (ways) for us to click and I think that is the best way for us to play as a squad, is to go out there and have fun.
“For us to go out there and have that mentality … that’s something that I have noticed has changed a bit and something that has helped because look at us, we’re two from two.”
Hayne added the approach ties in nicely with his own more laidback style since returning to the NRL.
Henry said it was crucial that his players simply backed themselves.
“We have got an opportunity to just play with enthusiasm and just back our skill and enjoy it without talking about the future too much and just play footy,” he said.
“And it has worked for a couple of weeks. The boys really have put back to back pretty good defensive efforts.
“Our goal line defence against the Dragons was very good and that’s something we will need to be building on because Cronulla will test you to another level again with their attack.
“It’s good that he (Hayne) is feeling that it’s a bit more relaxed because it is very easy to be negative when you lose a few games and that doesn’t help you win the next one.”
The Titans named an unchanged 17 to play the Sharks, though regulars Karl Lawton and Leivaha Pulu are an outside chance after being included in the 22-man squad.